#57 Novelty and Contribution

When I started doing my PhD, something I quickly noticed was the importance of novelty and contribution

And it’s really what defines scientific research

Novelty simply means that your idea is new

It has not been done in the same way before. Or not done at all

It brings something original to your field

But having a new idea is not enough

Coming from the industry, I also had an unfair advantage: companies offer products/services as solutions to their customers issues

In scientific research, it’s quite similar

You also need to make a real contribution.
That means your idea should be useful and meaningful
It should help others in some way

Research is not just about writing papers for your next academic promotion

It is about creating something that is important
Important to a group of people

Let me explain

What makes research novel?

Novel research brings new knowledge, solves a problem in a new way, or looks at something from a new point of view.

You do not have to invent something totally different from scratch.
You can build on existing work, but your results should show something new

For example:

• A population no one studied

• A new method

• A different way to treat a problem

• A tool

•  A software

These kinds of research projects have novelty

They offer something we didn’t know before or they apply ideas in a new and helpful way

Now, why is contribution important?

Contribution means your work adds value
It means others can use your idea in real life. It moves knowledge from theory to practice

This can happen in many ways:

• Turning your idea into a working model or prototype

• Creating a tool, method, or system that people can use (potential product)

• Sharing results that help a community, a company, or a school

• Developing something that could be sold or shared with the public

I like to think about this as a new company serving a certain type of customers.

Who are your “customers”? what are their problems?

When your research creates something real, it helps others see its value

That’s when your idea moves from just being “interesting” to being “important”

As a student or researcher, one of the most powerful things you can do is believe in your idea. If you believe your work can be useful, you will probably put more energy into developing it.

This belief can help you:

• Stay motivated when research gets hard

• Work to test and prove your idea

• Think about how others might use it

• Look for partners, funders, or users who can support it

When students believe their research can turn into something real, they work harder to make it happen

They aim to create something that has economic, social, or environmental value.

Your research could become a product, or a new policy

Some students build tools that are used in schools or hospitals

Others create devices that help with farming or save energy

Some ideas turn into businesses or apps. Some become part of government policy or community programs.

None of this happens in a few days. It takes time and testing.

Final thoughts

Novelty is about being original. Contribution is about being useful. Both are important in research.

This is also something that your committee and peer reviewers will evaluate.

How is this research novel? How are you contributing something useful?

So do not just search for a research gap. Do no just ask “Is my idea new?” Also ask, “Can this idea help someone?”

Try to turn your research into something that others can use, benefit from, or build on.

If you can do that, your research will matter. And that is what great research is all about.

As always, if you need clarification or assistance with your research projects, feel free to reach out to me, and I will respond

See you next Sunday!

Jamal

My favorite things this week

1.   Preparing a public webinar for French institutions speaking about Research Information Systems

2.   Getting ready for an upcoming conference. More on this soon.

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